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Tag Archives: Revocation
Aborted – Retrogore
Belgian death metal outfit, Aborted, are back in a big way with their ninth full length entitled, Retrogore (Century Media). All of the typical elements are there from previous albums like the movie samples at either beginning or endings of songs, thunderous drum work, Sven (De Caulwe) being Sven, etc. Based off of the album title and some of the samples used, it appears they wanted to stick to some old classics (one of my favorite samples coming from ‘Re-Animator’; see tack ‘Forged for Decreptude’). Being a huge horror fan, this only scores more points for me.
Outside of the samples, there were quite a few guests on Retrogore as well. The first is on the track called ‘Divine Impediment’ and features guest vocals from Cattle Decapitation‘s own Travis Ryan. The mixture of Sven’s deep growls and high-pitched screeches with what seems like only Travis can do vocally makes for one of the more memorable tracks on the album. The very next track, ‘Coven of Ignorance’ also features guest vocals from Dave Davidson of Revocation fame. Again, the contrast of the two vocal patterns tossed over some chugging and riffing is simply pleasant. Towards the end of the track, we also get a quick sample from a ‘House M.D.’ episode from Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) himself. If you simply cannot get enough guest vocalists, then you will find ‘The Mephitic Conundrum’ to be a great track as well. Jason Keyser from Origin/ex-Skinless hops on the mic for sections throughout the song. Literally, three songs in a row have guest vocalists and it may be the best stretch on the album.
As a whole, I found that I could listen to Retrogore from front to back without even thinking of pressing the skip button. There were certainly tracks I may have liked more than others, but even my least favorite track was still a solid track. Each track told its own story and stood out in its own way which helped keep the album fresh which is not the easiest to do in the death metal world nowadays. While previous releases from Aborted kind of fall into a dark void after a handful of listens, I find that this latest record will be hanging around for quite some time.
8.0/10
TIM LEDIN
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Ramming Speed – No Epitaphs
Ramming Speed’s No Epitaphs (Prosthetic Records) an album from a band so unapologetically thrashy that their records would be better sleeved in a leather jacket that reeked of weed. It’s the kind of music that takes you back in time, 1986, to be exact. Grindcore, black, and death metal were still in the prototype stage so thrash was the king of the extreme metal hill. The beer soaked apex capped by stellar offerings like Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? and Reign in Blood.
But that was almost 30 years ago. New subgenres emphasized further break-neck speed and lower guitar tunings. In 2015 thrash metal may no longer reign supreme, but it’s still got fire in the belly as proven by both the veteran (Machine Head) and young (Sylosis, Skeletonwitch, et al) alike.
Ramming Speed are on a mission to prove that they belong in that new echelon of thrash elite. The challenge for any young band in this particular style is how to make music that can both channel their forefathers and still sound vital and poignant. Otherwise you’re just a bunch of blokes in vests trying to relive the eighties.
Right from the onset Ramming Speed live up to their name and more often than not hit the bullseye. ‘No Foregiveness in Death’ is a storm of Jonah Livingston kick drums and fierce shred from guitar the guitar tandem of Kallen Bliss and Blake Chuffskin. ‘Beasts of Labor’ sounds like the mean offspring of Metallica and Revocation that’s been raised on Mountain Dew and neglect.
But Ramming Speed also have some death metal in their genetic makeup as ‘The Life we Choose’ features some kinetic blastbeat bursts. And then you have ‘Truth to Power’ which has straight up needle in the red moments that would make Napalm Death proud.
While it has the occasional lapses (‘Super Duty’ is very much paint by numbers) No Epitaphs is an admirable and no frills metal record. However the disclaimer here is that if you’re the type that’s turned off by thrash metal’s lack of progressive tendencies or hates Dimebag Darrell you’re gonna have a bad time here. But if you’re the guy who shouts “Slayer!” during any metal show or public gathering then strap in and take the ride.
8.0/10
HANSEL LOPEZ
Publicist UK – Forgive Yourself
Publicist UK’s sound is not what I expected to hear when first seeing internet headlines of a group featuring bassist Brett Bamberger of Revocation and drummer Dave Witte formerly of Burnt by the Sun and currently Municipal Waste (among 2,000 other bands). I’ve listened to Forgive Yourself (Relapse Records) three times already today and I’m still slightly surprised by the sound. The compositions here are lush, moody, and at more often than not beautiful.
It’s the kind of music that the cool kids on college radio play while wearing obnoxious hats and chastising Interpol for “selling out.” And I like it. A lot.
Rounding out this supergroup is Goes Cube guitarist David Obuchowski and Freshkills vocalist Zachary Lipez. If you, like myself, are a fan of lower voice ranges, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised with Lipez’s haunting baritone. It alters from Bauhaus’ Peter Murphy to Joy Division’s Ian Curtis while also summoning sounds not unlike Type O Negative’s Peter Steele. Lipez has sounded strong on Freshkills releases, but here he sounds fully committed to the performance.
‘Blood Relative’ and ‘I Wish You’d Never Gone to School’ are world weary and almost shoegaze in nature. Think Deafheaven, but without the black metal edge. Music that can maintain its dark heart all the while remaining tuneful and soothing. Even old man Morrissey would nod his stubborn head to these songs.
Acting as counterbalance to the gloominess is a heavy guitar chug that wouldn’t be out of place on a Helmet record on tracks like ‘Slow Dancing to this Bitter Earth’ and ‘Levitate the Pentagon.’ ‘Away’ closes out the affair while making good use of that heavier dynamic and even throwing in some of Witte’s famous double kick-drums without feeling out of place.
When I cranked this album on my laptop the last thing I expected was the musical equivalent of Joy Division on a collision course with Cave In, but what a lovely wreck it turned out to be.
9.0/10
HANSEL LOPEZ
Video: Revocation Releases The Blackest Reaches Lyric Video
Revocation has released a lyric video for their song ‘The Blackest Reaches’. You can see the video at this link or below:
‘The Blackest Reaches’ comes off of 2014s Deathless (Relapse). Revocation is hitting the road with Cannabis Corpse, Archspire, and Black Fast.
Revocation tour dates with Cannabis Corpse, Archspire, and Black Fast:
Aug 07: Heavy Montreal – Montreal, QC
Revocation with Cannabis Corpse, Archspire, and Black Fast
Sept 03: Dusk – Providence, RI*
Sept 04: Studio @ Webster Hall – New York, NY
Sept 05: Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
Sept 06: Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
Sept 08: Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH
Sept 09: Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
Sept 10: Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH
Sept 11: Full Terror Assault Fest – Cave in Rock, IL**
Sept 12: Rail Club – Ft Worth, TX
Sept 13: Walter’s On Washington – Houston, TX
Sept 14: Dirty Dog – Austin, TX
Sept 16: Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
Sept 17: Club Red – Phoenix, AZ
Sept 18: Mystery Box – Los Angeles, CA
Sept 19: Oakland Metro – Oakland, CA
Sept 20: Analog Cafe – Portland, OR
Sept 21: Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
Sept 22: Red Room – Vancouver, BC
Sept 24: Starlite – Edmonton, CAN
Sept 25: Riddell Center – Regina, SK
Sept 26: Windsor Hotel – Winnipeg, MB
Sept 27: Skyway Theater Studio B – Minneapolis, MN
Sept 29: Shelter – Detroit, MI
Sept 30: Hard Luck – Toronto, ON***
Oct 01: Maverick’s – Ottawa, ON***
Oct 02: La Source – Quebec City, QC***
Oct 03: Great Scott – Boston, MA***
* = Revocation Only
**= Revocation & Cannabis Corpse Only
***= No Cannabis Corpse
Revocation Books Headline Tour, Names New Drummer
Revocation has announced they will be hitting the road this fall for a headline tour. Playing 26 shows in 30 days, support will come from Cannabis Corpse, Archspire and Black Fast. Starting in Rhode Island and ending with a home town show in Boston at Great Scott on October 3rd, this is the first headline tour for the band since the release of Deathless (Metal Blade) in 2014. The band is also appearing at next month’s Heavy Montreal Festival on August 7th and will also appear at September’s Full Terror Assault Festival.
Ash Pearson (3 Inches of Blood) has also been named as the bands new drummer, following the departure of founding member Phil DuBois.
Pearson commented on joining Revocation:
“I am very honoured to be joining Revocation. Phil is a good friend of mine and I feel privileged to have his blessing and to be his successor. I take seriously the challenge to keep the caliber of this band high and look forward to continuing the legacy of Revocation.
Revocation tour dates:
Aug 07: Heavy Montreal – Montreal, QC
Revocation with Cannabis Corpse, Archspire, and Black Fast
Sept 03: Dusk – Providence, RI*
Sept 04: Studio @ Webster Hall – New York, NY
Sept 05: Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
Sept 06: Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
Sept 08: Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH
Sept 09: Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
Sept 10: Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH
Sept 11: Full Terror Assault Fest – Cave in Rock, IL**
Sept 12: Rail Club – Ft Worth, TX
Sept 13: Walter’s On Washington – Houston, TX
Sept 14: Dirty Dog – Austin, TX
Sept 16: Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
Sept 17: Club Red – Phoenix, AZ
Sept 18: Mystery Box – Los Angeles, CA
Sept 19: Oakland Metro – Oakland, CA
Sept 20: Analog Cafe – Portland, OR
Sept 21: Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
Sept 22: Red Room – Vancouver, BC
Sept 24: Starlite – Edmonton, CAN
Sept 25: Riddell Center – Regina, SK
Sept 26: Windsor Hotel – Winnipeg, MB
Sept 27: Skyway Theater Studio B – Minneapolis, MN
Sept 29: Shelter – Detroit, MI
Sept 30: Hard Luck – Toronto, ON***
Oct 01: Maverick’s – Ottawa, ON***
Oct 02: La Source – Quebec City, QC***
Oct 03: Great Scott – Boston, MA***
* = Revocation Only
**= Revocation & Cannabis Corpse Only
***= No Cannabis Corpse
Lyric Video + Tour: Revocation – Labyrinth Of Eyes + Tour With Veil Of Maya
Revocation is streaming a lyric video created by Wovenwar guitarist and director/animator Nick Hipa for “Labyrinth Of Eyes,” off of their latest album Deathless, out now via Metal Blade. The band will be hitting the road with Veil Of Maya on an upcoming tour.
May 20: Crofoot – Detroit, MI
May 21: Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
May 22: Waterstreet Music Hall – Rochester, NY
May 23: Revolution – Long Island, NY
May 24: Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
May 25: Canal Club – Richmond, VA
May 26: Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
May 27: Zydeco – Birmingham, AL
May 28: Underbelly – Jacksonville, FL
May 29: Culture Room – Ft Lauderdale, FL
May 30: State Theater – Tampa, FL
Jun 02: Mesa Music Hall – El Paso, TX
Jun 03: The Rock – Tucson, AZ
Jun 04: Hard Rock – Las Vegas, NV
Jun 06: Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA
Jun 07: Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Jun 08: Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
Jun 11: The Republik – Calgary, AB
Jun 12: The Pawn Shop – Edmonton, AB
Jun 13: The Exchange- Regina, SK
Jun 14: Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg, MB
Revocation on Facebook
Revocation on Twitter
Revocation on YouTube
Album Stream: Veil Of Maya – Matriarch
Veil Of Maya is streaming their fifth album Matriarch, which will be released May 12, 2015 via Sumerian Records. The album marks the debut of new vocalist Lukas Magyar. The band will be kicking off their headlining tour with Revocation, Oceano, Gift Giver and Entheos.
May 20: Crofoot – Detroit, MI
May 21: Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
May 22: Water Street Music Hall – Rochester NY
May 23: Revolution – Long Island, NY
May 24: Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
May 25: Canal Club – Richmond, VA
May 26: Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
May 27: Zydeco – Birmingham, AL
May 28: Underbelly – Jacksonville, FL
May 29: Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 30: State Theater – Tampa, FL
Jun 02: Mesa Music Hall – El Paso, TX
Jun 03: The Rock – Tucson, AZ
Jun 04: Hard Rock – Las Vegas, NV
Jun 06: Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA
Jun 07: Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Jun 08: Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
Jun 09: Rickshaw – Vancouver, BC (without Oceano)
Jun 11: Republik – Calgary, AB (without Oceano)
Jun 12: The Pawn Shop – Edmonton, AB (without Oceano)
Jun 13: The Exchange – Regina, SK (without Oceano)
Jun 14: The Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg, MB (without Oceano)
Veil Of Maya is:
Marc Okubo – Guitar
Sam Applebaum – Drums
Lukas Magyar – Vocals
Dan Hauser – Bass
Veil Of Maya on Facebook
Veil Of Maya on Twitter
Veil Of Maya Confirm Upcoming North American Tour With Revocation, Oceano, etc
Chicago metallers Veil Of Maya is streaming the music video for “Mikasa,” off of their forthcoming album Matriarch, out May 12, 2015 via Sumerian Records. The record was produced by Taylor Larson (Periphery, Darkest Hour) and marks the debut of new vocalist Lukas Magyar.
The band has confirmed an upcoming North American tour with Revocation, Gift Giver, Oceano and Entheos.
May 20: Crofoot – Detroit, MI
May 21: Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
May 22: Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY
May 23: Revolution – Long Island, NY
May 24: Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
May 25: Canal Club – Richmond, VA
May 26: Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
May 27: Zydeco – Birmingham, AL
May 28: Underbelly – Jacksonville, FL
May 29: Culture Room – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 30: State Theater – Tampa, FL
Jun 02: Mesa Music Hall – El Paso, TX
Jun 03: The Rock – Tucson, AZ
Jun 04: Hard Rock – Las Vegas, NV
Jun 06: Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA
Jun 07: Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Jun 08: Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
Jun 09: Rickshaw – Vancouver, BC (without Oceano)
Jun 11: Republik – Calgary, AB (without Oceano)
Jun 12: The Pawn Shop – Edmonton, AB (without Oceano)
Matriarch Track Listing
01: NYU
02: Leeloo
03: Ellie
04: Lucy
05: Mikasa
06: Aeris
07: Three-Fifty
08: Phoenix
09: Matriarch
10: Teleute
11: Daenerys
12: Lisbeth
Veil Of Maya is:
Marc Okubo – Guitar
Sam Applebaum – Drums
Lukas Magyar – Vocals
Dan Hauser – Bass
Veil Of Maya on Facebook
Veil Of Maya on Twitter
Metal Injection and Jackson Guitars – Official! present The Matriarch Tour with VEIL OF MAYA, Revocation , Oceano, Gift…
Posted by VEIL OF MAYA on Friday, April 24, 2015
Six Feet Under Releasing Crypt Of The Devil On May 5th
Six Feet Under is streaming “Gruesome,” off of their upcoming full length album Crypt Of The Devil, out May 5, 2015 via Metal Blade Records here.
The new record was recorded at Phil “Landphil” Hall‘s studio in Virginia. Hall tracked rhythm and bass guitar, while his brother, Josh, tracked drums, and guitarist Brandon Ellis tracked the majority of the album’s leads. Barnes took to London Bridge Studio (Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains etc.) in his new homebase in Seattle, WA to track vocals and in fact holed himself up in the very same booth where Layne Staley captured his words. Mixing was completed by Rob Caldwell (Cannabis Corpse, Iron Reagan etc.) in Sarasota, FL and mastering was handled by Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Revocation, Torche, Skeletonwitch etc.) at West West Side in New Windsor, NY.
Stream “Stab” below.